transitive verb

American  

noun

Grammar.

1. a verb accompanied by a direct object and from which a passive can be formed, as deny, rectify, elect.

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transitive verb Cultural  

1. A verb that needs a direct object to complete its meaning. Bring, enjoy, and prefer are transitive verbs. (Compare intransitive verb.)

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Discover More

Some verbs can be transitive in one sentence and intransitive in another: turned is transitive in “Brenda turned the wheel sharply” but intransitive in “Fred turned when I called.”

Etymology

Origin of transitive verb

First recorded in 1580–90

Compare meaning

How does transitive-verb compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• transitive verb vs. intransitive verb

Example Sentences

This demonstrates the fundamental difference between a talk-variety show where the title delineates the host by using a preposition, "with," instead of a transitive verb, i.e, "starring."

From Salon • Jan. 20, 2023

But it is a legitimate transitive verb: I looked it up.

From Washington Post • Apr. 8, 2020

The spokesperson’s nonstandard use of “innovate” as a transitive verb only underscored the company’s disdain for orthodoxy.

From Slate • May 11, 2018

The dominance and popularity of Google means people use the company’s name as a transitive verb to define information searches.

From The Verge • Nov. 22, 2017

Presumably Bill Clinton, who uttered the first sentence while running for president in 1992, would never have said Give I a chance, because a noun phrase next to a transitive verb is obviously accusative.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker